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Pesticide Safety Campaign Launches Monday on Hispanic Radio Network

Release Date: 06/18/2004Contact Information:

David Deegan, 617-918-1017 / deegan.dave@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - June 18, 2004) A new Spanish language educational public service announcement will be launched Monday, June 21 on the Hispanic Radio Network (HRN) to highlight steps individuals may take to protect themselves from exposure to pesticides at home and at work.

EPA has sought to develop useful information in both English and Spanish as part of a broader effort to promote awareness of safe use and handling of pesticides. HRN’s campaign will help Spanish-speaking people understand how to safely use pesticides. The campaign will also highlight simple steps that may be taken to reduce pesticide use around the home and help people avoid unnecessary and potentially dangerous exposure to chemicals.

Hispanics represent 84 percent of the farm workers in the United States. Farm workers may be exposed to pesticides on the job, and their families may experience second-hand exposure to pesticides because traces of the chemical(s) may be “tracked-in” from the field. The majority of pesticide products contain labels written in English only; in these cases, people who primarily speak and write in Spanish may not understand or follow usage and safety directions. In addition, people living in multi-family housing in urban environments, including many Hispanics, may be exposed to pesticides because of pest control measures for common urban pests such as cockroaches and rodents. HRN’s campaign will help increase Hispanic people’s awareness of these important issues.

The educational series will air on Hispanic Radio Network’s environmental program “Planeta Azul” (“Blue Planet”), running daily June 21 through June 29. “Planeta Azul” is broadcast by the network’s 194 radio station affiliates throughout the United States and Puerto Rico